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In the past Tad Coffin has made some very, very flat dressage saddles. They are next to impossible to find used. But call the guy. He's very nice and might be able to help. Of course, research the design, hype (and anti-hype) of his "one size fits all" tree. The leather is very nice, but fragile and TC saddles will set you back some coin.

Actually, newer Passiers can come with the shallower seat--it is actually 'standard' most places but the US. They tend to ship the deep seat to the US as standard here. At least that's what a Passier dealer told me.

I would think most custom builders would make you one shallower, particularly Spirig comes to mind as one I've ridden in that are comparable to my Ancient Passier... (and some are quite deep... but many are not.)

I'm just starting to explore the world of dressage, so please excuse my beginner-ish questions.

When would one want a deeper vs. flatter seat in a dressage saddle? Does it have anything to do with the horse's way of going? Or more rider's own build/conformation? If the latter, what types of builds/body types would do better with flatter vs. deeper seat saddle?

When would one want a deeper vs. flatter seat in a dressage saddle? Does it have anything to do with the horse's way of going? Or more rider's own build/conformation? If the latter, what types of builds/body types would do better with flatter vs. deeper seat saddle?

My personal opinion is that the deeper seat keeps you centered in the seat in the deepest part, allowing your legs to hang down longer.

The flatter seats allow you to slip into chair seat where your leg slips out in front of you in saddle seat postion.

Some riders change their horse, they change their saddle, they change their teacher; they never change themselves.

Remember the horse does all the work, we just sit there and look pretty.

My personal opinion is that the deeper seat keeps you centered in the seat in the deepest part, allowing your legs to hang down longer.

The flatter seats allow you to slip into chair seat where your leg slips out in front of you in saddle seat postion.

Thanks. Why would anyone need/desire a flatter seat? Isn't it more correct/effective to ride with legs longer and more under your seat instead of in front? Or are there certain situations where a slight chair seat is beneficial

Thanks. Why would anyone need/desire a flatter seat? Isn't it more correct/effective to ride with legs longer and more under your seat instead of in front? Or are there certain situations where a slight chair seat is beneficial

While the flatter seat indeed can encourage a chair seat, it also allows for the development of a freer hip, more adjustability of the rider's seat, and closer contact with the horse. The rider, I suspect, might have to work a bit harder to be with her horse!

My personal opinion is that the deeper seat keeps you centered in the seat in the deepest part, allowing your legs to hang down longer.

The flatter seats allow you to slip into chair seat where your leg slips out in front of you in saddle seat postion.

If the stirrup bars are in the right place this should not happen.........

the deep seat and bigger thigh blocks anchoring you in would be a help if you are trying to sit a trot on an upper level really big moving horse. That is not a problem I have to deal with at present though!

I have 5 dressage saddles due to the herd I have/ride. I prefer a flatter seat but due to fitting challenges do have 2 saddles with a deeper seat. None of my saddles put me in a chair seat. There are brands of saddles that do and it has nothing to do with the depth of the seat. I prefer to have more freedom to move, particularly in the upper levels as oppose to feeling like I'm locked in; however, a deeper seat has come in handy with some of my younger horses and for those like my daughter's mare who tend to try to root the rider out of the saddle. Having said that though, I don't like to rely on the depth of the seat to keep me in place. That is what the core muscles & balance are for.

Flatter seats allow for a more independent seat - prevents laziness and better adjustability. Better riders prefer it for this reason. It's helpful as a rider can adjust herself so as not to hit sensitive areas as well.

With Passiers - even what they refer to as a deep seat isn't really deep. It really means the cantel is longer and goes up a bit more. The seat itself is pretty flat, especially compated to an old Stubben Tristan - rode in a friend's and boy it's like sitting in a hole comapared to the my Passier GG.

Btw, flatter seats are pretty easy to see visually when looking at a side angle of a saddle.

I have a Collegiate Jessica which I think is fairly flat compared to some of the other saddles that have come through my barn. The knee rolls are pretty darn flat and there are no thigh blocks. Personally, thigh blocks are spawn of the devil. yuck

Trainer has a hard-as-rock-slick-as-ice County that I adore. Granted the hard part, not so much, but I love how flat the seat is. Her TB is a huge mover and the adjustability in that saddle is just about second to none.

I know now, the place that I was trying to reach, was you, right here in front of me